Strengthening regional RDI collaboration as part of international engagement. Despite the significant differences between Japan and Finland in terms of population size and economic scale, the two countries share many similarities — especially in values, mindset, and long-term societal challenges. In spring 2025, the City of Lappeenranta (represented by Mr. Ding Ma, Director of Economic Development) and LAB University of Applied Sciences (represented by President Mr. Turo Kilpeläinen) visited Tokyo and Kyoto to explore and deepen regional research, development, and innovation (RDI) collaboration. The visit reinforced the view that both countries could benefit from more structured models for cooperation between the public and private sectors in fostering RDI and growth entrepreneurship. There were also valuable insights gained into the role of higher education institutions in regional development and their vision for the future. These are lessons that we hope to build upon in future cooperation — and we warmly encourage other EU regions to get involved.
Japan and Finland are among the world’s fastest-aging societies. In Japan, instead of pursuing strong internationalization, policy efforts are currently focused on adjusting public services and expenditures in line with demographic decline. Technological advancement and operational efficiency are seen as key solutions to the social challenges caused by population aging. At the same time, Japan’s government has committed to boosting entrepreneurship and innovation through strategic funding and guidance — with much of the activity being organized on the regional level. Currently, many Japanese regions and local actors are initiating innovation activities independently. A phase of consolidation is expected to follow, potentially leading to closer integration or even mergers among local stakeholders. The role of privately operated science parks in building regional innovation ecosystems is becoming increasingly important. One example is Kyoto Science Park, which serves as a collaborative platform connecting local government, universities, and early-stage companies.
In Finland, a key response to the aging population has been to facilitate work-based immigration and make permit processes more efficient for international talent. At LAB University of Applied Sciences, for example, students come from over 90 different nationalities. Attracting international students and professionals is a growing trend nationwide. Developing growth entrepreneurship is also a key focus area in Finland. In Lappeenranta, a shared innovation ecosystem involving the city, universities, and the business sector has been created to provide a seamless service chain from research to commercialization. Within this ecosystem, building international partnerships — for instance, with Japanese universities and corporate venture units — has emerged as a promising area for future development. There are extensive opportunities for cooperation between Finnish higher education institutions and Japan’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. However, language remains a notable barrier if collaboration is to deepen beyond the current level. Here, the support of Finland’s Embassy in Tokyo, the Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan, and the EU-Japan Centre will be essential.
Finland enjoys a highly positive reputation in Japan. The Slush startup event is particularly well known among innovation and entrepreneurship communities. Leveraging this image — alongside the cultural appeal of Finnish icons like the Moomins and the sauna — can help promote mutual engagement and pave the way for long-term collaboration.
Source: City of Lappeenranta
Published: June 2025